MANCHESTER UNITED must win the FA Cup because finishing second in the Premier League is not enough to constitute a successful season.

David de Gea believes United must win the FA Cup to make this season a success

That’s the opinion of Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea.

The Spanish No 1 has enjoyed another spectacular individual season but Jose Mourinho’s team as a whole have come in for constant criticism this term.

That’s despite sealing second in the Premier League, the club’s highest finish since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure and retirement in the summer of 2013.

And the 27-year-old keeper agrees that United’s league performance - in which they are 19 points behind rivals and title-winners Manchester City with one game left to play - has not been up to standard.

But he thinks they can put that right against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium next Saturday (5.15pm).

"I believe that for a club like United, even second place is simply not enough,” De Gea told United Review, the club’s official match-day programme.

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This club has an obligation to get through to cup finals, go on to win them, win silverware, and continue to make this club even bigger.

David de Gea

De Gea claimed his first ever Premier League Golden Glove courtesy of his 18th clean sheet of the season, in his 37th top-flight appearance, in a goalless draw at West Ham in mid-week.

And having been named Player of the Year for the fourth time in five years and also Players’ Player of the Year at United’s end-of-season awards ceremony, De Gea believes this has been his best year yet.

"I think it’s been a very complete season for me, my best since I’ve been at the club, I reckon," he added.

"It’s always good to be able to help out the team and to try and be at your highest level of form possible to be able to earn points for the team.

"And that’s the most important thing, to help the team in every way you can and to maintain that level of consistency which I believe is what makes the difference."

De Gea will sit on the bench for United’s final game of the season with back-up shot-stopper Sergio Romero stepping in to face Watford (3pm) at Old Trafford.